The 8 Best WiFi Radios of 2018

If you are a really dedicated fan of internet radio stations, the best solution for getting a maximum level of enjoyment is to purchase a special device just for that purpose. Despite the prevalence of internet radio apps for smartphones and tablets, it seems there is still a considerable demand for a Wi-Fi radio that can instantly access thousands of radio stations from around the world. Check out my other articles about the best walkie talkies and best android car stereo.

If you want to skip the boring research and only make your choice from the most capable Wi-Fi radios on the market then you should check out the following devices. They are all worth their money and very diverse regarding their features to make sure they capture the widest range of preferences. No matter your budget or particular needs, there’s definitely a quality Wi-Fi radio in this article for you.

One of the coolest Wi-Fi radios on the market is the Grace Digital Encore, which comes with a 3.5″ color display and a premium quality internal speaker system. It manages to create a stunning combination of crystal clear stereo sound with the vivid visuals of a radio station or album art shown on the display. Looking at the price, it seems that this device is geared towards slightly higher budgets.

The dynamic sound of the Encore is achieved through a class D digital amplifier together with the 2-3” front-facing speakers and a subwoofer. You can easily fill the room with enough volume as the radio delivers crisp audio quality. Grace Digital equipped this unit with RCA outputs for connecting it to your home stereo system. For private listening, you can use the jack to plug your own headphones.

In terms of user interaction, this Wi-Fi radio makes use of a color 3.5” LCD display that provides quick navigation thanks to an icon-based menu system. Another handy function is the artwork display for the corresponding song that’s currently playing. Pandora is also integrated into the radio’s system and for more control possibilities, the manufacturer included a remote which can pause music and skip songs among other functions.

Providing access instantaneously to a staggering amount of free Internet radio stations and podcasts from around the globe, the Encore can keep you endlessly entertained. You can also access premium pay services such as SiriusXM and Napster. There are 110 preset radio stations and the option for adding artists to a ”Favorites” folder. Connecting the device to most wireless routers is a breeze and the Wi-Fi music player can stream music from a PC, Mac, or any other music source.

Taking everything that’s been said into account, the excellent sound quality, the reliable connectivity and simple user interface, it becomes pretty clear that this one is worth your money. The Grace Digital Encore provides an amazing wealth of listening opportunities as it’s capable of receiving thousands of internet radio stations at no cost. A very solid option all-around for any radio lovers.

For those interested in purchasing a top quality music system that has wireless capabilities, the Bose Wave SoundTouch IV music system is the ideal choice. Capable of delivering legendary sound performance, expanding your musical possibilities, and offering a sleek, stylish design, this device shouldn’t be missed. The SoundTouch IV can easily be considered the best Wi-Fi radio around.

The audio performance is one of the most striking features of this Bose music system. It enables a new level of enjoyment thanks to the exclusive waveguide speaker technology. The lows feel more accentuated and the highs are clearer than you’d expect from such a small speaker. Playing countless Internet radio stations or accessing music services like Spotify and Pandora is an absolute pleasure with this gadget. You also have the possibility to play tunes from your own music library, everything wirelessly.

Owning a SoundTouch product like this Bose system means you gain an advantage when it comes to easily connecting it to other wireless speakers and systems throughout your home to comfortably listen to music in other rooms. Using a slim infrared remote with 6 presets for your favorite AM/FM or SoundTouch selections you can control more conveniently the system from a distance. There are many settings to adjust such as the volume, track selection or the alarm functions.

Speaking of alarms, it comes with dual independent alarms so that a partner can wake up early without affecting the other late-sleeping person. What’s also very practical is how simple it is to trigger the snooze control by a quick tap on the top of the system. Another interesting feature is the remote smartphone app which lets you organize and control your music better and will keep your favorite stations and playlists close.

If you don’t have a tight budget, the Bose Wave SoundTouch IV music system should definitely be somewhere at the top of your Wi-Fi radio wishlist. In terms of audio quality, the Bose technology really does make a difference and can easily take you by surprise. Adding so much entertainment value and convenience into your life, this Wi-Fi radio is a great investment.

Product Highlights:

Waveguide speaker technology

Wireless connection

Bluetooth

Remote control included

SoundTouch app

Best Internet Portable Radio

The CC WiFi radio from C Crane is the perfect device for those not willing to spend too much and yet still want to get their hands on a high-quality Internet radio. It may not have too many advanced features but the CC WiFi is very portable and does a solid job connecting to more than 12,000 international radio stations. At this price level, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better choice on the market.

As most people prefer to listen to a clear transmission when it comes to Internet radios, it is geared toward getting the stations to sound perfect no matter how far away they are. With this little device, you gain access to Pandora, iHeart, and other music services as well as to your favorite talk shows. Discovering something new every day is possible as the Internet radio library is so large with music from all over the world.

You can find approximately 100 times more news and music due to the CC Wi-Fi’s grand selection of approximately 16,000 stations. Just when it comes to Jazz or Classical music, you’ve got about 500 stations to choose from. Wherever you have high-speed internet, this radio can access them. There are 99 presets available to you to store your personal favorites.

In terms of audio quality, don’t expect a huge sound considering the small size of the device. For casual listening though, it is an excellent unit. If you decide you need something more refined, you can always effortlessly connect it to a more powerful stereo system. A remote control can be found in the package as C Crane decided to add a better level of control for this Wi-Fi radio. The search ability is quite decent and finding interesting Internet stations is easy.

A well-performing device, it delivers a highly enjoyable Internet radio experience. It’s compact and reliable and has some nice little functions like the clock with 5 alarm settings and a sleep timer, which are good little extras to have. To listen to your favorite Internet radio stations, this is a recommended buy for anyone looking for a cost-effective WiFi radio.

Product Highlights:

16,000 available stations

99 presets

Remote control

Ethernet input jack

Search by location, genre or call letters

Allows UPnP music streaming

Best Internet Radio Receiver

Another interesting product from Grace Digital Stereo is their GDI-IRMSamp stereo Internet receiver and amplifier which has the ability to stream your digital music and offer quick access to over 50,000 Internet radio stations including SiriusXM and Pandora. Simply add your favorite set of speakers and you’re good to go. This radio can bring a new level of convenience and performance for the money.

Wirelessly connecting you to thousands of Internet radio stations, as well as providing access to many premium free stations like Pandora and iHeartRadio or paid services like SiriusXM, this Internet receiver gets you in the mood for a wild radio adventure around the globe. You sonic desires can be easily satisfied whether you’re thinking about discovering new tracks or if you want to listen to an interesting podcast.

The sound is decent for such a compact design. Filling a room with quality sound is definitely possible and for further sound sculpting, you’ve got a dual-band equalizer which expands your listening experience suiting your particular taste.

A digital display is provided by Grace Digital for your convenience. It has good contrast and is used for displaying certain useful information while you listen, such as artist and song information. It also enables you to navigate through the seemingly endless number of stations as well as allowing you to adjust other functions. You can set an alarm, update your audio settings and save your favorite radio stations.

Grace Digital claims that you can wirelessly connect this device in less than five minutes and you can start listening to your favorite stations in no time. In the connectivity department there are lots of attractive goodies like a removable Wi-Fi antenna, line out and line in RCA outputs and inputs as well as a USB port to play your own music.

With a strong and clean amp, a small footprint and excellent Internet radio connectivity, the GDI-IRMSamp is a great device overall. A Bluetooth capability would have been nice but still, this should cover any WiFi radio fan’s needs with ease. Priced very fairly, this Grace Digital Internet radio receiver rightfully obtains a spot in this list due to its great quality and reliability.

Sangean WFR-28 is a very portable WiFi radio with audio media streaming capabilities. Users can access over 16,000 Internet radio stations as well as stream music from Spotify. The sound quality is nothing that stands out, but for the size is quite decent. Providing a solid radio listening experience at a reasonable price, this device is a powerful competitor on the market for these gadgets.

By using this radio you can gain access to more than 16,000 radio stations including NPR, CNN, FOX News or BBC to name a few. A great amount of podcasts is also available at your fingertips. If for some reason, you decide you want to go back to your local stations, there’s also an FM radio receiver integrated.

Another aspect of this device is the quality sound it’s able to deliver. Despite the small size, it sounds promising and comes with a built-in Digital EQ for setting up the sound the way you like it. For extra customization, there are separate bass and treble controls. To obtain another level of control you can try the iSangean remote control app for iPhones or Android smartphones.

Getting clear FM reception more clearly is an important aspect so Sangean equipped this radio with a telescopic antenna. In case you want to listen to your favorite Spotify playlists, you can with this device. Connectivity-wise, it offers an auxiliary input to add your devices such as MP3 players or iPods. There’s also a Line Out jack for private auditions through headphones or for connecting another system. Enhancing even further your musical experience, this radio brings the joy of sharing your tunes using DLNA and UPnP streaming.

Sangean managed to create a very balanced WiFi radio feature-wise, versatility seems to be one of its strongest points. Thanks to the compact size, it’s a very suitable radio to take with you when traveling. The setup could be a bit difficult but once you start to get the hang of it, it works nicely. All in all, the WFR-28 is an excellent Internet radio for its price and therefore strongly recommended.

With a vast selection of Internet radio stations and many interesting goodies under the hood, the Kelement KWS430 looks like an attractive option for many Wi-Fi radio enthusiasts. It offers a pretty large touchscreen display and a big rechargeable battery to enjoy your music for longer. A modern looking unit, it also comes with built-in speakers that offer good sound quality.

It is capable of streaming a large number of Internet radio stations, somewhere around 18,000. A decent selection of pre-loaded apps is also available for listening to streaming services like Pandora or SiriusXM. This model doesn’t receive air FM or air AM as it’s only an Internet radio but it does have 8GB of internal storage to play your own music files.

One of the strongest points of this Kelement Wi-Fi radio is the clean user interface thanks to a reliable 4.3-inch touchscreen that gives a good level of visibility. The operating system is rather basic in functionality but downloading your favorite apps is simple and the large main menus make navigating the radio a pleasure.

Thanks to the built-in 4000 mAh rechargeable battery, it will last for several hours of radio listening. The modern and compact design of the unit should fit nicely in any homes. It has an integrated alarm clock that can be set so that your favorite radio station wakes you up. For this reason, the device could be a nice addition to your bedroom.

If you love listening to a wide range of Internet radio stations comfortably in your home, you’ll probably love the Kelement KWS430. A fancy looking device, this radio is more intuitive to use thanks to the basic Android functions and the large touchscreen display. Packing some solid punch in terms of sound, this represents a good bundle of value for enriching your home or office with the tunes from your favorite Internet radio.

With many unique functions, the Zetally Avy Internet radio sets itself apart from other products in this list. The list of modern features includes Bluetooth, a big touchscreen display with Android Lollipop, a VGA front camera, and a HDMI output. Besides these interesting additions, the user experience is completed by the powerful 10W speakers and the sleek, portable design.

If you want more from a Wi-Fi radio, the Avy seems like a good choice. It has a HDMI output and can be connected to your TV through it or by using Chromecast. Besides streaming your preferred Spotify playlists and Internet radio programs you can also pair the device with a smartphone through Bluetooth. A wealth of entertainment crammed into such a compact package, it can play YouTube videos and Netflix shows with ease.

Keeping in touch with your family and friends is ensured by the ability to use your favorite calling apps such as Skype or Google Hangouts. The powerful speakers deliver a satisfactory audio experience considering the size of the radio but the real highlight is the 7” large touchscreen where you can navigate quickly and efficiently. For a better control, Zettaly added a remote in the package for this device.

A capable built-in battery provides up to 7 hours of constant music playback and the Wi-Fi radio is pretty speedy considering the 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and a decent 1GB RAM. Other good news regarding this unit is the expandable internal memory of 8GB by using a microSD card. The only complaint I have about it is the stand which is not adjustable.

The final verdict for the Zettaly Avy portable Wi-Fi radio is a highly positive one. Some features may seem a little gimmicky like the front camera for example, but overall this is a solid product for its price. It performs well in terms of sound and the powerful processor and Android interface simplifies the user experience tremendously. For a stylish addition to your home, this Wi-Fi radio is highly recommended.

In case you want something a bit different, the SiriusXM SXPL1H1 is a nice satellite radio receiver home kit which gives you a wide selection of channels. When connected to your home stereo or by plugging in some powered speakers you can play radio and admire the album art and other graphics on a colorful display. A subscription is sold separately.

It brings together over 140 channels that deliver quality entertainment. Besides news, talk shows and sports channels you also get many commercial-free music stations. But this is not all, the really awesome features are TuneStart and Mix. Let’s take a closer look at each of these and see how they contribute to the overall enjoyment of the radio.

TuneStart means that whenever you tune to a station from your presets it only starts at the beginning of the song. This is a great feature as it makes scanning around for music much more enjoyable. The days when you find a great song only for it to end after 20 seconds are long gone.

In TuneMix mode you can play one full song from a preset at random. After the song is finished, the radio switches to another channel and again plays a full song there. This feature applies well to most music channels and it’s a really fun way to listen to a good mix of all your presets. As an added bonus, you can always skip a song you don’t like and rapidly jump to the next one.

With this radio, you can store up to 20 favorite channels and you can easily pause, rewind and replay live satellite radio. By purchasing a single SiriusXM subscription, you can listen at home or at the office or in all your vehicles. A remote control adds an extra layer of convenience and the full-color display creates a fluid browsing experience when you want to check out what’s playing on another channel.

A fantastic radio considering into which price bracket it belongs, the SiriusXM delivers some cool features to spice up your radio listening experience. Besides the solid performance, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the sound quality either. All channels are crystal clear so no complaints here. This one is a clear winner, worth checking out further.